Newport Music Festival Preview: 45th Season Bigger Than Ever

One of the musical highlights of Rhode Island's summer kicks off officially this weekend, when the Newport Music Festival opens its 45 season of bringing a rich roster of classical musicians to perform in multiple venues, including some of Newport's most illustrious mansions.

The 45th season will be "one of our most ambitious seasons ever, encompassing 62 concerts, with music ranging from Bach to Brubeck," said Mark Malkovich IV, General Manager of the NMF. "In addition to presenting concerts of your favorite chamber music composers," Malkovich said, "we’ll be celebrating the bicentennials of two opera titans—Giuseppe Verdi and Richard Wagner. And for the first time we will broaden our musical menu to embrace programs of ragtime, tango, and klezmer!"

This season, the Festival also expands its well-loved roster of unique venues to include Touro Synagogue, in celebration of its 250th anniversary, and the auditorium of CCRI Newport.

Another first, Malkovich said, will be on July 23rd, when the Festival will offer six concerts in one day, with simultaneous performances in Newport and nearby Bristol.

Musicians

Malkovich said that there are more firsts to be found in the Festival's “family of artists,” as this summer’s roster will encompass 70 musicians hailing from 18 countries, nearly 40 of whom will be making their Newport debuts. "If this doesn’t count as a 'first,' it is definitely a record-breaker," Malkovich said.

Returning artists include Agustin Anievas, Michael Endres, Bernadene Blaha and prize-winner Scott Cuellar who will pay homage to the Festival’s long-standing love of the piano. Among the new artists joining the family will be Yamaha Artists Inna Faliks and Vassily Primakov, the world-famous Klezmer Conservatory Band, and the welcomed return of the Jazz Arts Trio with special guest Billy Novick.

"Rounding out this memorable season will be a thoroughly rejuvenated Festival Gala at Rosecliff on July 19th, and a special benefit concert at the Breakers on July 27th," he said. Rich fare for Rhode Island, indeed.

For a full schedule of concerts and special events, and to order tickets, go online to www.newportmusic.org, or call the Box Office at 401-849-0700.